Nido Qubein Receives Horatio Alger Distinguished Citizen Award

Washington D.C., April 8, 2006 -- The president of High Point University, Nido Qubein, received the Horatio Alger Award and was inducted as a lifetime member into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans during two days of formal ceremonies at the Supreme Court and Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

The award honors individuals who have overcome adversity and humble beginnings, and have gone on to achieve success. Recipients were selected from hundreds of nominations.

Qubein came to this country as a teenager with $50, no contacts and little knowledge of English, but worked his way up to becoming one of America's leading business consultants, a best selling author, internationally known speaker and successful entrepreneur.

"I am honored to have been selected for this prestigious award," said Qubein. "I have learned that without adversity there is no triumph; it is difficult to achieve success without first overcoming the obstacles that stand in your way."

Each year since 1947, 10 distinguished persons have been selected for induction as members of the organization. Among the 285 living members are poet Maya Angelou, former Senator Robert J. Dole, boxing legend George Foreman, the Rev. Billy Graham, entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga, former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and media-mogul Oprah Winfrey.

"The lives of each of these exceptional individuals provide wonderful examples of the tradition of proving that hard work, perseverance, and integrity are the cornerstones upon which success in our great nation and the realization of success are built," said Dennis R. Washington, president and CEO of the Horatio Alger Association.

Master of ceremonies Ed McMahon led Friday evening's award presentation. Fellow Horatio Alger members Lou Dobbs of CNN and Oprah Winfrey also presented during the weekend.

Horatio Alger members mentor young people and sponsor over $8.5 million in need-based college scholarships awarded annually to high school seniors who have proven their ability to overcome adversity and want to pursue higher education.